The Vanishing at Northcott Mouth
The police file investigating the unsettling disappearance of Nate Trewin, whose obsession with a mysterious "mermaid" leads him into the dark, cold waters of the Cornish coast. Documented through diary entries, Nate's account begins with a brief sighting of the creature, but quickly spirals into an all-consuming fixation that alienates him from his family and sanity. As Nate’s late-night beach searches become more frantic, he claims to hear the mermaid's song, beckoning him into the sea. His final entry, just before his disappearance, reveals a haunting encounter, leaving investigators and loved ones questioning the line between myth and madness.
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Genre: Dark Fantasy
Word Count: 586
CASE FILE # 914d3e5bk0f
MISSING PERSON: Nate Trewin
STATUS: OPEN
Evidence Item #4:
Personal Diary Retrieved from: Breakwater Rd, Bude, EX23
Date of Recovery: August 28, 2024
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Notes: The following pages were found in a waterproof notebook in the subject's home office. The entries detail the subject's alleged encounters with what he describes as a "mermaid" in the weeks leading up to his disappearance. Family members report the subject had been behaving erratically and spending unusual amounts of time at local beaches. Last known sighting was on August 25, 2024, near Northcott Mouth by local dog walker, Ian Hawken. Investigation ongoing.
--- START OF DIARY ENTRIES ---
August 15th 2024
I know it sounds mad, but I saw a mermaid today. I was running along the breakwater at Summerleaze beach this evening, the tide was out but all the tourists were gone and that’s when I saw her, perched on top of Barrel rock. At first, I thought she was a seal but when she turned to look at me and the sun behind her reflected back from that tail, I knew! I ran as far as I could towards where she sat but as I got closer she was gone. No one is going to believe me, but I have to write this down. I’ll go back tomorrow, she must be out there somewhere.
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August 16th 2024
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I went out to the breakwater again tonight but no sign of her. I waited until the sun was almost gone but no luck. I’ll try again tomorrow and maybe venture further, maybe past the sea pool to middle beach. Perhaps I scared her off last night.
August 19th 2024
I’ve been out looking at the beach every night since but still nothing. I think some locals are starting to get concerned about me as I saw some pointing tonight. I know what I saw. I started sketching her today. It helps somehow. Helps me hold on to her. Tomorrow I’ll widen my search out to Crooklets beach. I know she’s there somewhere, watching me.
August 22nd 2024
I haven’t slept in days. Every time I close my eyes, I see her. It’s maddening. I’ve taken to swimming out past the breakers at night, hoping I can go to her instead. My wife thinks I’m having a breakdown. Maybe I am. I tell her I can’t sleep, and I need the fresh air, but I know she doesn’t believe me. I don’t care. I have to find her.
August 25th 2024
That dog walker! That dog walker! It was at Northcott Mouth, just as the sun was rising. I’d been there all night. Just as the sky was starting to turn pink I saw her head rise from the water maybe 50m out to sea. She was looking at me! All around me I could hear her song. It was flowing through me. I ran and threw myself into the water. The water was cold, but I didn’t care. I swam towards her. Her song was so loud! Then she was there, right in front of me. Her hands were on my face. I tasted the salt on her lips, felt her cold smooth skin against me.
Then that dog walker. With his shout she slipped away. Gone. I screamed until my throat was raw. I still feel her, still hear her. I need her. All of her. No distractions, just us.
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Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'll be hers. In her world. Where I belong.